Connection box for electrical terminals



lll

l/vvEA/Tonaf Y P000; PH J. .ScHo/w rzfe bnf/1v Auf HAI/POL@ B. Mus E/P. Y

53) X55 y Y ATTONESG" Aug. 28]r 1945i R. l. s'cHoNlTzER :TAL CONNECTION BOX FOR ELEGTRICAL TERMINALS loriginal'I-iled Feb, 23, 1942 Patented Aug. 28, 1945 TERMIN ALS 'Rudolph I. Schonitzer, Shaker Heights, and Edwin "L, Allen and Harold B. Muster, Cleveland I Heights; hio;l said Allen and said Muster as- `'signors to` said Schonitzcr 9 claims. (c1. 248-346) The invention relatesjgenerally toja novel and improved connection fbox assembly, for use in electric power distribution. It particularly' relates to an assembly of this nature for housing vterminals wherebyia pluralityof]` subordinate power circuits are tapped off from a main circuit.` i

The object of the invention is to provide a connection box which 'is moisture-tight and weath-y erproof, but which can be constructed more rap. idly and cheaply, and from lighter weight material than connection boxes now available.` y

Another object of the invention is to provide a box assembly of the, nature indicated which is characterized by improved mechanical properties as a resultof thefstructural'features/to be described hereinbelo'w.

Further objects and advantages will be appar-p.

ent from a description of one embodimentof the invention, illustrated in the `faccor'x'ipanying drawing, in which l i t i y Fig. 1 is a top planview, partially broken away, oi a connection or outlet box assembly embodying the inventive features now tol be described. Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation ofthe assemblypartially broken away, aS seen from the right of Fig..2`.

Fig. lI isy a. fragmentary top plan view of one corner of a box and associated base member, representing a somewhat modified embodiment of the invention. i i,

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the directionof the arrows.

Fig. 6 isa fragmentary side elevation ofv a box `and associated basevmember, representing yet another modification of theinvention. i

Fig. 'I is a section taken ontheline 'I-l of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows. i `Before the present invention is described in detail it is to be understood thatsuch invention is `notlimited to thev details of construction and/or the specific arrangement of parts herein illustrated and/or described, as the invention `obviously may take other forms. It also is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Y .Y The connection box assembly representingl the embodiment of the invention; shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3comprises four main" components identiable :as an outer cover II,` anvinner cover I2, a box I3 and a base rmember I4'. These members are preferably-.formed from a. deep ,drawingtype of; low carbonzlow-dmanganese.sheet steel by a pressing or stamping operation, but'obviously any type of sheet metal of adequate physical properties maybe used, provided it is ductile enough to withstand the amount of deformationrequired by the structural design. Y 1 f As seen in Figs, 1,2, and 3, the rbox I3 is of substantially rectangular sectional contour in all three dimensional planes, though slightly round'- ed at the meeting zones of the vertical walls with each other and with the bottom wall, asa matter of practical convenience in facilitating the formingoperatlon; Around its upper edge portion the box wall is outturned to form aiiange l5, which flange is further provided around its outer edge, with a downwardly opening channeled portion I6 which is peripherally continuous, though somewhat enlarged in lateral extent at spaced locations II to permit insertion of conventional clinch nuts I8 (Fig. 2f) which are provided with threaded bores I9 for a purpose which willA appear.y The flange I5 and channel IB in conjunction .provide an upwardlyA stepped contour.

A stamped metal band '2is inserted within,l

and in circumferential vcontact with, the upper portions of the box walls (Fig. 2), `being attached thereto by welding orotherwise. The upper edge 2l of said band extends above horizontal flange I5, and is preferably crimped overto form a portion of double thickness.' and to provide a spacing shoulder 22 for initial positioning of the band before welding, The depression or upwardly opening channel extending peripherally between the edge portion 2l and the neighboring stepped-` up wall of channel I6 carries Vtherein a ller strip or gasket`23 which,v as will appear, cooperates with the inner cover member in providing a weatherproof sealingy t when the box assembly is closed. A

Extending longitudinally of the interior of box I3 is a bridge member 24 which is conveniently formed from aimetal stamping havingat its mid section4 a slightly channeled contour comprising an upper planar portion 25, and downturned, lateral flanges 2S. Near their ends, these anges 26 are enlarged to` form angular supporting wingsZ'I which, at their terminal extremities, are bent outwardlyto form ears 28 which'may be conveniently vwelded or otherwise attached to the inner surface of the box walls. i

A strip or yplate of electrically nonconducting material 29 is attached to the upper surface of bridge 24, and carries', near one endthereof, two connections 3,0 and 3|, to which supplyV line terminals may be attached. lIn parallel therewith is 'registry and contact with, gasket 23.

a double row of subordinate taps 32 and 33, connected respectively to terminals 30 and 3l, and adapted to be.l used as leads fortanappropriatel number ofv subordnatecircuits. Both: the supply line inlets, and the distribution outlets are effected by the insertion of suitable conduits (not;j j;

shown) through suitable apertures 34 in one or y more of the box walls, the number andv locationAv of such apertures (two of which are indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 3) being determined by conven. ience or necessity, and, as a precautionsgainst moisture, a conventional packing glandis insert.'l

ed in each wall aperture around the conduit o conduits extending therethrough.

The inner cover member [2 resembles a sha1- L interests of -metal conservation it may be desirable to eliminate the connecting member 43 of .basefIL' Insuch case (see Figs. 4 and 5), each endoithe J,box isprovided with a base bracket f 5o which' is placed transversely beneath each end otbcx I3 and-projects laterally therefrom a suf- `cient distance to provide upturned wings 5I low, downturned tray which 'i scomple1nentary; i

peripheral edge portion is upturned, as seen at 35 (Fig. 2), thereby presenting a. rounded 'edge for pressure contact withthe packing strip 23. This innercover is leakproof or imperforate, so as to providel an airtight seal when closing pressure is appliedina mannernow to be described.

The outer cover II is generally designed to overlie and bring pressurevto bear upon the inner cover. It is accordingly similar in general contour to the inner cover,withsome exceptions now to be detailed. Surrounding its outer edge is a peripheral step comprising a horizontal portion 36 and a vertical portion 3'I, this step(v overlying, and exteriorly surrounding the channel I6 on the ilange of box lwhentheouter cover II is in closed position.. At lspaced locations in registry with Athe threaded bores I9 in clinch nuts I8 hereinabovedescribed, the outer cover is provided with apertures 38 to .receive the shanks of screws 39, said screws being threaded tofitboresIS. l

The box and the inner and'outer vcovers are assembled in airtight relationship .as Afollows. The inner cover I2 is placed on the box I3` with the lower edge Yoi' the inner cover in peripheral The upper cover. II isl then superimposedY upon .the lower cover so that apertures `36in the upper cover are in regstrywith lapertures I9in the clinch nuts carried by box I3." 'Screws 39 are .then inserted through apertures 3.8 and into the threaded bores I9, and the screws are drawn up until the horizontal step portion 36 is in contact with the horizontal componentv of channel I6. This operation causesl theperipheral edge of the inner cover I2 to be imbedded'in gasket 23'suificiently to make the enclosure airtight.

The base member I4 will now be described. It consists of an H-shaped member formed of sheet metal, comprising two end members, indicated generally by reference numeral 42, underlying the ends of box I3, and .a connecting member 43 which' is integral with the end members 42, `and whichunderlies, longitudinally,the body of the box.v Said end members project beyond the sides of the box, and areprovided with upwardly ldirected wing `portions 44' along their innermost edges, and with end flanges 4 5, also upwardly directed, and contacting the end walls of the box. The wings 44 have laterally extending, connecting tabs 4,6 which are disposed to lie in contact with the sidewalls of the box, and to be welded thereto as at 4'I` (Fig. 3),` and the end ilanges 45 in contact with'the'end'walIs of the` box, may also be welded, or otherwise connected, to the box,` as at 48. The four end parts of the end members 42 are perforated at 46, to permit insertion therethrough of the Shanks of bolts,

and' end flanges'52. Flanges 52 are welded to the ends of box 'I3 as previously described in to, and conforms in contour with, box |131i Its COneCilfWHth first embodiment, and C011- necting tabs 53 are carried by wings 5I for attachment'to the side walls of box I3. In this embodiment a portion of the bottom of the box may beraised slightly as at 54, to permit the general box bottom'to be in coplanar registry with the base brackets 5D.

, Additional support may likewise ybe provided at spaced locations along the length of vbox I3 (Figs. 6 and '7) by cross' brackets 55 which run transversely beneath the box, vprojecting, laterally therebeyond at each end to provide wings 56 and connecting tabs 5T, the function of each being now familiar. 'I he horizontal portionsV ci' the projecting ends of brackets' 56,V and 55 are provided with apertures A'58 for 'convenience of attachment as aforesaid. In the use of bracket 55', thebottom of box t3 may be slightly raised inthe neighborhood 'o1' the bracket (see. Fig'. 6'), to avoid projection of, ythe'braclket belowthe level of the vboxbottom.` K

If desired lthe outer cover I'I may be provided with'a raised Aescutcheon portion. 60 which. carries a name plate 6I or device ofslmilar character. In ysuch case, said covervmay be provided 'with inwardly upset,` annular aperturessUm-f .cient metal being thus provided, as at 62 (Fig. 2) to carry a thread for screws 63 which serves to retain the name plate ,in place.

The assembly, constructed as described, may be fabricated and assembled 'both rapidly` and econcmically, lu,sing only a minimum amount of metal. lA numberv of factors contribute to sup- 'ply 'adequate structural properties, including the flange f5 and channel' I6 which, in conjunction, constitutea peripheral strengthening step; the band 26 and itsrei'nforced'edge 2|; the bridge memberZII;l the nptur'ned edge ofthe inner cover; vthe stepped edge of the outer cover, and the wing-strengthened base, all of which features cooperate to afford a strengthan'd rigidity which is more than adequate.-

The enclosure is sufficiently weathertight to protect the 'various electrical terminals andtaps' against corrosion, and is therefore particularly suitable wherecorrosive atmospheresmay be encountered, for instance in ships, in installationsnea' the oceanor under familiar industrial conditions.

The present application isa division of our copending application for Connection boxes for electrical terminals, filed February23, i942, Serial No. 432,006, now Patent No. 2,359,053, grant- 'ed'September 26, 1944.

v What 'We'claimisz f l l. A base'member'for'a box structure wherein said box lstructure hasy a. bottom wall and a periph'eral'ly continuous opstanding wall, said base member beingliormed from sheet metal and having aportion' thereof underlyingand connected to the bottom wall of said box structure and having another portion thereof projecting `beyond the bottom wall of said box structure, said projecting portion having upturned wing means for attachment to the upstanding wall of said box structure, and said projecting portion also having laterally extending means for the securement of said base member to a supporting structure.

2. A'base member for a box structure wherein said box structure has a bottom wall and a peripherally continuous upstanding wall, said base member being formed from sheet metal and having a yportion thereof underlying and connected to the bottom wall of said box structure and having ano-ther portion thereof projecting beyond th'e bottom wall of said box structure for securement to a supporting structure, said projecting portion having means integral therewith and extending upwardly along opposed portions of said periph'erally continuous upstanding wall for attachment thereto, and said projecting portion having further means, likewise integral therewith, and extending upwardly along other opposed portions of said peripherally continuous upstanding wall, likewise for attachment thereto.

3. A base member for a box structure wherein said box structure has a bottom wall and a peripherally continuousl upstanding wall, said base member being formed from sheet metal and having a portion thereof underlying and connected to the bottom wall of said box structure and having 'another portion thereof projecting -beyond the bottom wall of said box structure, said projecting portion having perforated tab means for attaching said base member to a supporting structure and having wing means, upturned from said tab means,l for the securement of said base member to the upstanding side wall of said box Structure.

4. A base member for a box structure wherein for the securement of said base member to the upstanding side wall of said box structure.

` 6. A base member for a box structure wherein said box structure has a lbottom wall and a peripherally continuous upstanding wall, and wherein said bottom wall is provided with a centrally located elongated portion indented ont of the general yplane of said bottom wall, said base member being formed from sheet metal and hav-l ing a portion thereof .underlying said bottom wall and complimentary to said indented portion of said bottom wall so as to lie therein, said base member having a portion thereof projecting besaid box structure has a bottom wall and a peripherally continuous upstanding wall, said base member being formed from sheet metal and having a portion thereof underlying and connected to the bottom wall of said box structure and having another portion thereof projecting beyond the bottom wall of said box structure, said projecting portion having perforated tab means for attaching said base member to a supporting structure and having anged wing means upturned from said tab means, for the securement of said base member to saidupstanding wall, and said projecting portion having upwardly extending end flanges for additional securement of said base member to the upstanding side wall of said box structure.

5. A base member for a box structure wherein said lbox structure has a bottom wall anda peripherally continuous upstanding wall, and wherein saidbottom wall is provided with a portion indented out of the general plane of said bottom wall, said base member being formed from sheet metal and having a portion thereof underlying said bottom wall and complimentary to said indented portion of said bottom wall so as to lie th'erein, said base member having ay portion thereof projecting beyond the bottom wall of said box structure, said projecting portion having means for attaching said base member to a supporting structure and having additional means yond the bottom wall of said box structure, said 1 projecting portion having means for attaching said base member to a supporting structure and having additional means for the securement of said base member to the upstanding side wall of said box structure.

7. A base member for a box structure wh'erein said box structure has a bottom Wall and a peripherally continuous upstanding wall, and wherein said bottom wall is .provided with an edge portion indented out of the general plane of said bottom wall, said base member being formed from sheet metal and having a portion -thereof underlying said bottom wall and complimentary to said indented portion of said bottom wall so as to lie therein, said base member having a portion thereof projecting beyond the bottom wall of said box structure, said projecting portion h'aving means for attaching said base member to a supporting structure and having additional means for the securement of said base member t0 the upstanding side wall of said box structure.

8. A base member for a box structure wherein said box structure has a bottom wall and a Lperipherally continuous upstanding wall, said base member being formed from sheet metal and having a portion underlying and connected to the bottom wall of said box structure, said base member also being provided adjacent each of the two ends of its rst mentioned portion with' a pair of oppositely extending portions yprojecting laterally beyond the bottom wall of the box structure, the base member being therefore of substantially H form in plan view, at least one of the four projecting portions of the base member having means for the attachment of the base member to a support and at least one of said projecting portions having additional means connected to the upstanding wall of said box structure.

9. A base structure for a box structure wherein the box structure has a bottom Wall and a peripherally continuously upstanding wall having opposed side wall parts and opposed end wall parts, said base structure having two portions underlying and connected to the box structure bottom wall, one adjacent each end wall part of the box structures upstanding wall, each of said portions of said base structure projecting laterally beyond the opposed side wall parts of the upstanding wall of the box structure and being provided outwardly of said side wall parts with upstanding flanges connected thereto, and each of said portions being 'provided with' other upstanding langes outwardly of said end wall parts and connected thereto.

RUDOLPH I. SCHONITZER. EDWIN L. ALLEN. HAROLD B. MUSTER. 

